Can-straightening means.



F, P SOUDER. CAN STRAIGHTENING MEANS APPLICATION FILED oer. 28. 1913.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

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FRANK P. SOUDER, OF BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY.

CAN-STRAIGHTENING MEANS.

Application filed October 28, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK P. SOUDER, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Bridgeton, Cumberland county, New J ersey, have inventedcertain Improvements in Can-Straightening Means, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to means designed for the purpose of straighteningdamaged cans of the type employed in preserving food stuffs such asfruits and vegetables; which device is more particularly designed forthe restoration of the rim flanges, of what are known as sanitary cans,to their original and proper shape andcondition for the application ofthe covers. For this latter purpose, it is necessary that the flangeshall present a true circle in a single plane surrounding the open endof the can. The machine which I have devised is designed to restore thebattered 0r displaced rim flange to its original perfect condition.These and other features of my invention are more fully describedhereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a sectional elevation on the line 11, Fig. 2, of a canmachine embodying my invention; Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation on theline 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is a plan view; Fig. 1, is a perspective viewof a battered can with deformed rim, and Fig. 5, is a perspective Viewof such can after it has been straightened by my improved machine.

My improved machine includes a table or stand 1, preferably of heavyconstruction, which may be solid metal, if desired, supported by legs 2,which may be received into sockets 3 carried by the table, or otherwiseconstructed, as may be desired; such table being provided with anaperture 4 for the passage of the cans. Pivoted to the table at 5 aresections 6 of a clamping device to embrace the cans; the top or upperedge 6 of said clamp sections serving further as anvils upon which theflattening of the rim flange of the cans may be accomplished.

Carried by rods 7 which project through the table 1 is a forming head 8,with an operating handle 9 and a flanged die 8 on its under side havingan annular flat surface 10 to engage the rim flange of a can; thecentral portion of said flanged die being beveled externally so as toreadily fit within the mouth of the can when brought down to straightenthe rim flange of the same. Be-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Serial No. 797,805.

low the table a shelf or support is provided to receive the can, whichshelf may be carried by bolts 13, and is adjustable vertically. Thebolts 13 carry cups 14 receiving springs 15 whereby said shelf isspringsupported and is free to yield during the operation of reshapingthe rim flange of the can.

The rim-shaping die has sockets 16, to which the rods 7 are adapted, andthese sockets have inner beveled surfaces 17 for engagement with thesides of he sections 6 of the clamping device; such engagement causingthe latter to closely embrace the can, and the upper edges 6 of the sameproviding the desired anvil against which the flat surface of the diewill strike; the springsupported shelf yielding under the force of theblow, and the clamp sections holding the can so that the wall of thesame will not be displaced. The shelf is adjustable up and down for cansof various heights, and it will be understood, of course, that bychanging the size of the clamps, cans of different diameters may betreated; the dieing member being similarly removable for the application of different size structurescorresponding to the size of the cans.

The clamping sections 6 are provided with automatic separating means inthe shape of a spring 18, which may be coiled and is disposed betweenthe arms of same, as indicated in Fig. 3; the latter being socketed at19 for the purpose.

Cans which are damaged by having their walls bent may be straightenedwith the aid of a mallet by placing them over the halfround anvil bar 20carried by the table 1.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a table, of a vertically movable can support, apair of clamping members embracing the can and forming positioningmeans, the upper edges of said clamping members forming an anvil, ashaping device adapted to engage the top of a can and press its rim orflange against the clamping members, guiding rods for said shapingdevice, and cams carried by said shaping device to engage the clampingmembers and press them against the wall of the can to insure theposition of the latter when the shaping device contacts with said rim orflange.

2. The combination, with a table, of a vertically movable can support, apair of clamping members to embrace the can, the

upper edges of said clamping members forming an anvil, a shaping deviceadapted to engage the top of a can and press its rim or flange againstthe clamping members, guiding rods for said shaping device passingthrough the table, and cams carried by said rods to press the clampingmembers against the wall of the can before the shaping device comes intocontact with its rim or flange.

3. The combination, with a table, of a cushioned can support, said tablebeing apere tured in line with said support for the reception of a can,can centering means mounted independently of the can support, saidcentering means forming an anvil, a shaping device adapted to; engagethe top of a can and press the rim flange of the same against the anvilof the centering means,

and fixed engaging means carried by said shaping device to close andhold the centering means around a can when the shaping device contactswith the same.

4. The combination, with an apertured table, of an adjustablespring-supported can holder centrallymounted below said aperture,centering means for said can pivotally mounted on top of the table andforming an anvil, a vertically movable shaping device adapted to engagethe top of a can and press the rim flange of the same against saidanvil, and means for tightly closing the centering means around the canjust before the shaping device is brought into contact with said can.

5. The combination of an apertured table, an adjustable can supportmounted below said table in line with the aperture, depending rodscarrying said can support, springs carried by said depending rods belowsaid can support, can positioning means pivot ally mounted on top of thetable and forming an anvil, a shaping device adapted to engage the topof the can and press the flanges of the same against the anvil, guidingrods for said shaping device passing through the table, means at theupper ends of said guiding rods for closing the positioning means arounda can just before the shaping device is brought into contact with thecan, and a manipulating handle carried by said shaping device.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK P. SOUDER.

Witnesses:

N. B. OGDEN, SAMUEL M. SHELDON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0.?

